Karuizawa

Karuizawa is a legendary, now-defunct Japanese whisky distillery founded in 1955 in the mountainous region of Nagano Prefecture. With its high altitude and cold climate, it provided ideal conditions for whisky maturation. Known for using heavily peated malt, sherry cask maturation, and small pot stills, Karuizawa produced rich, deep, and complex whiskies. Due to its low output and meticulous production, it remained relatively obscure during operation but gained cult status after closure.

After the distillery shut down in the early 2000s, its remaining casks were acquired by private owners and gradually bottled, sparking global demand. Karuizawa whiskies are often characterized by notes of dried fruit, dark chocolate, spice, and profound oak, with intense color and robust structure. Today, Karuizawa represents the pinnacle of Japan’s golden whisky era and stands as a revered icon in the world of whisky collecting and auctions.